The White House is trying to urge Congress to pass $106 billion in war aid for Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan. However, Democrats are not willing to make a deal with Republicans on border security.
President Biden and Senate Democrats have rejected GOP demands to include stricter measures to address the influx of illegal immigrants into the U.S. for over six weeks.
Republicans are pushing for policy changes to the asylum process and parole system, which they believe are exploited by illegal immigrants.
“If they want a national security supplemental, they’ve got to do something to deal with the national security crisis at the border,” said Senate Minority Whip John Thune, a Republican from South Dakota.
Democrats blame Republicans’ demands for potentially jeopardizing the aid deal, rather than the president’s refusal to address border issues.
“Progress on the national security package has been on ice for weeks,” said Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer, a Democrat from New York. “Not because Republicans have objected to Israel aid, or aid to Ukraine, or humanitarian aid to innocent civilians in Gaza, or the Indo-Pacific, but because Republicans have injected partisan and extreme immigration measures into the debate.”
Bipartisan discussions in the Democratic-run Senate are at risk of collapsing, which could prevent any spending for Israel or Ukraine from being approved before the holidays.
A Democratic source familiar with border security talks criticized Republicans for moving in the wrong direction and proposing policies reminiscent of former Trump advisor Stephen Miller, who was considered anti-immigrant by the political left.
“Republicans know Democrats cannot support” those policies, the source said.
Republicans involved in the talks remain optimistic about finding a solution to protect national security, stop human trafficking, and prevent exploitation by cartels.
White House Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young warned that Ukraine funding will run out by the end of the year, which would severely impact Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian invaders.
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell accused the White House of scolding Congress instead of actively engaging in border security discussions necessary for a viable national security supplemental.
The U.S. has already provided Ukraine with $111 billion, and President Biden’s new request includes an additional $61 billion for Ukraine’s fight against Russian invaders.
The Republican-controlled House passed $14.3 billion for Israel to combat Hamas, but Senate leaders from both parties rejected the piecemeal approach. The House bill also included cuts to the IRS funding, which conservatives supported despite the Congressional Budget Office’s calculation that it would increase the deficit.
Senate Majority Leader Schumer plans to hold a vote on President Biden’s $106 billion request later this week unless a deal is reached with Republicans. However, the bill is unlikely to receive the 60 votes needed to overcome a filibuster due to the GOP’s border provisions.
“We’re willing to make concessions,” Mr. Schumer said. “But we will not keep going in circles if Republicans aren’t interested in even meeting us halfway.”
House Republicans have emphasized that no legislation will pass through their chamber until the Biden administration addresses the border crisis.
“House Republicans have resolved that any national security supplemental package must begin with our own border,” said Louisiana Republican Mike Johnson. “We believe both issues can be agreed upon if Senate Democrats and the White House will negotiate reasonably.”